Steinmeier on outcome of Minsk talks: "Pure lip service will not be enough to solve this conflict"

Today's talks of the Normandy Four foreign ministers in Minsk were difficult and tedious.

Steinmeier said both Ukraine and Russia had hardened their positions and there was no political agreement in sight on holding local elections in the Donbas, as demanded by Russia and Kremlin-backed separatists.

"It was very tedious again today," Steinmeier said. "Pure lip service will not be enough to solve this conflict."

He said the International Red Cross could help facilitate a significant exchange of prisoners before the end of the year, but said the parties were still far from a political agreement that would pave the way for local elections in the region.

Steinmeier said he was optimistic after the meeting that Ukraine and Russia could begin efforts to disengage troops from four more "hot spot" areas along the line of conflict.

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